Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese wants to unite Australia after leading the opposition to power since 2007.
After Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the election, he made his remarks.
Labor is short of the 76 seats needed to form a government and may have to rely on smaller independent parties, such as the Greens or “teal independents,” who campaigned on integrity, equality, and climate change.
These groups did well at the polls, tapping into voter anger over climate change inaction after Australia’s worst floods and fires.
The new parliament will be less climate-skeptic than the one that supported Morrison’s pro-coal administration.
Counting a record number of postal votes could delay the final results.
Friday, the government allowed COVID patients to vote by phone.
Albanese, a working-class republican, said after his victory, “I want to unite the country.”
“I think people want to come together and find common ground.
“People are tired of division; they want to come together as a nation, and I plan to lead that.”
Labor promised more financial aid and a stronger social safety net as Australia faces high inflation and rising housing prices.
On foreign policy, the party proposed establishing a Pacific defense school to train neighboring armies in response to China’s potential military presence on Australia’s doorstep.
It wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2050.
Mr. Morrison conceded defeat and congratulated incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese.
“This country needs certainty,” she said.
“It’s important for the country to progress.”
Mr. Morrison also resigned as Liberal party leader.
His capitulation ends the conservative coalition’s eight-and-a-half-year rule.
After several leadership changes, Morrison became PM in 2018.
Boris Johnson congratulated Mr. Albanese on his election as prime minister.
As thriving democracies, we work to make the world safer, greener, and more prosperous.
“The only distance between us is geographical,” he said, highlighting their “unmatched closeness.”
Mr. Johnson said he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Albanese in the coming weeks, months, and years to tackle shared challenges and promote shared values.
- Tags: Anthony Albanese, Australia, Prime Minister
